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March 24, 2026
扭niǔ(niu3)
The character 扭 (niǔ) primarily means 'to turn' or 'to twist.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical movement, such as twisting a bottle cap or spraining an ankle. The term can also describe the act of swinging one's hips in dance or movement.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#3808DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dance styles that involve hip movements, such as traditional folk dances, often use the concept of 扭. This emphasizes the importance of body movement and rhythm in cultural expressions and celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to open a tightly sealed jar (扭). As they twist the jar lid (the character includes the radical for hand), they might also swing their hips in frustration, remembering that 'niǔ' sounds like 'new' – as in a new way to open stubborn jars!
Meanings of 扭
niǔ(niu3)
1to turn
2to twist
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 扭
扭Simplified
7Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3808Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 扭
Podcast: 扭
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AI Study Notes for 扭
Quick Contrast
扭 (twist) vs 转 (turn) — use 扭 when emphasizing a twisting motion, while 转 is more general for turning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 扭 (niǔ) with other similar-sounding characters, which may have different meanings. It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal writing when discussing physical actions. Common collocations include 扭伤 (niǔ shāng - to sprain) and 扭动 (niǔ dòng - to twist or wriggle).
HSK Study Tips
While '扭' is not in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it is relevant for learners at level 3 or higher due to its frequent use in everyday conversation. Students should focus on related verbs that describe physical actions, enhancing their vocabulary around movement and physicality.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 扭 (niǔ) with 纽 (niǔ - to tie or knot) due to their similar sounds. For example, saying '我扭了绳子' (I twisted the rope) incorrectly when it should be '我绑了绳子' (I tied the rope).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 扭
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How Well Do You Know 扭?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 扭 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
扭 = 扌 + 丑. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 扭
IDS Structure⿰扌丑
扭Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
丑Chou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 扭?
How to say to turn in Chinese
“to turn” in Chinese is扭niǔ
The character 扭 (niǔ) primarily means 'to turn' or 'to twist.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical movement, such as twisting a bottle cap or spraining an ankle. The term can also describe the act of swinging one's hips in dance or movement.
When to use 扭
Be careful not to confuse 扭 (niǔ) with other similar-sounding characters, which may have different meanings. It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal writing when discussing physical actions. Common collocations include 扭伤 (niǔ shāng - to sprain) and 扭动 (niǔ dòng - to twist or wriggle).
扭 or something close to it
扭 (twist) vs 转 (turn) — use 扭 when emphasizing a twisting motion, while 转 is more general for turning.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 扭 (niǔ) with 纽 (niǔ - to tie or knot) due to their similar sounds. For example, saying '我扭了绳子' (I twisted the rope) incorrectly when it should be '我绑了绳子' (I tied the rope).
Write 扭
扭
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Practice writing 扭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 扭
扭 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
